"Tim is awesome. One of the highlights of my week is doing his track workout and it goes a long way for keeping me motivated running the rest of the week. I am so grateful for Tim taking this time for us!"

VO2 Testing

Whether your goal is performance or weight loss, knowing your individual response to exercise gives you the tools you need to get the results you want. To get the best results for you, it is very important to know the correct exercise intensity that will provide you the optimum, sustainable burn of fat and calories. Knowing your cardiovascular endurance can be a good first step toward taking control over the most important element of your overall fitness and health. A VO2 test involves a graded exercise test on a stationary exercise machine. The test starts at a very easy level and increases intensity in stages.

VO2 is the rate of oxygen uptake, or consumption, measured during exercise. Your VO2 test will show the anaerobic threshold. The body can supply adequate oxygen to the muscles up to a certain exercise intensity level or anaerobic threshold (AT). This threshold is the highest intensity at which the body can remove lactic acid as quickly as it is produces. Above AT, lactic acid is building up in the muscles and will cause premature fatigue. Knowing your AT and associated training zones is the single most important aspect that an athlete can do to improve performance without the discomfort and muscle damage of lactic acid buildup.

In addition, your Aerobic Threshold is measured during the exercise metabolic test. This is the heart rate at which an individual burns the most fat. Using fat for fuel, more oxygen is required to release a given amount of energy than when carbohydrates are the main fuel. This means that at low intensities, when plenty of oxygen is available to the muscle, fat is the preferred fuel. As intensity increases, at some point the cardiovascular system will not be able to transport proportionally more oxygen to the muscles. This is the aerobic threshold. Above this point, increased intensity will reduce fat burning.

Lastly, you're Resting Metabolic Rate is measured to give you an accurate evaluation of how many calories your body requires at rest as well as the preferred source of energy - fat or carbohydrates.

Anaerobic Threshold Detection

Aerobic Threshold Detection

Target Heart Rate

Calories Burned During Exercise

Sub-Max VO2

Measures Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

How will these values help fitness and training?

The VO2 test can determine an athletes Aerobic Threshold and Anaerobic Threshold. Once the athletes Aerobic Threshold and Anaerobic Threshold are determined, the athletes true target workout zones can be found. The target workout zones are based on the athletes heart rate. With this information the athlete will know at what intensity (heart rate) he/she can train to improve fitness and endurance.

For questions contact: Timothy Bolen 602-451-7839

When: Available weekdays 10am to 6pm / Schedule in advance by calling Sole Sports or sign-up in store.

Cost: $100 per test, you can have your bike, run VO2, or Resting Metabolic Rate.